1. Australian Flu Season 2018 #HitMeWithYourBestShot
Facts 2017
Australian Flu Season 2018 #HitMeWithYourBestShot
249,788 confirmed cases in 2017
More than 29,000 hospitalisation
Children less than 15 years account for 27% of all flu notifications
32% of hospitalisations in children less than 2 years
91% of all deaths in people 65 and over
How likely are Australians to get vaccinated? What's stopping Australians from getting themselves and their kids vaccinated?
How important is getting the 'flu shot?
Who is most at risk?
What's new about the 2018 'flu vaccines?
What can health professionals do to help?
Professor Robert Booy, University 0f Sydney,
Director Immunsiation Coalition

2. Facts from the latest 2018 Survey 1
Intention of having a flu shot: Yes 44%, No 56%
Women 55+ have the highest intention of having a flu shot: 74%
Woman in full-time employment: 68% intend to have a flu shot.
64% of parents of school aged children intend to get the flu shot
Middle aged men (35-45) in regional and rural Australia have the lowest intention of getting a flu shot: 27%
More men than women “believe” that the flu vaccine does not work – 59% of men aged 55-64
Australians with an income of less than $50,000 in regional and rural areas are the second lowest segment of the population intending to get the influenza vaccine: only 31%.
And only 36% of young men intend to get the flu shot
35% would get this year’s flu shot if they knew it has been updated to better match the mutated virus.
Only 27% of Australian adults get a flu shot every year.
24% do not think it is important.
18% do not “believe in unnecessary vaccines”
1, Healthcare and Medical Research Study, Attitudes to Flu Vaccination, Australian general Population, Immunisation Coalition, April 2018
Sample: National, representative sample with interviews undertaken in all capital cities, main regional cities and a large number of rural towns. Over 15,000 respondents. Survey conducted by APMI partners.

3. Importance of getting vaccinated: While the flu vaccine may not provide a 100% guarantee of not being infected, it is more important than you think! Australians need to get the flu shot not only for their own protection but also to reduce the spread of influenza to vulnerable people with underlying health conditions, including pregnant women #HitMeWithYourBestShot The latest Immunisation Coalition survey shows that 35% of adults would get this year’s flu shot if they knew it had been updated to better match the circulating viruses.

4. Who is most at risk and news about 2018 vaccines
Free influenza vaccine is available under the National Immunisation Program (NIP) for people in the following risk groups:
Older Adults 65 and over
Indigenous Australians (6 months to <5 years and 15+)
Pregnant women
People aged 6 months and over with medical conditions that can lead to complications from influenza (e.g. sever asthma, lung or heart disease, chronic neurological disease, renal and metabolic disease, impaired immunity
Vaccines available in 2018:
Two new enhanced vaccines for people 65 and over through the NIP
In addition an updated QIV will be available for all adults under 65 through the NIP and in the private market
Most states in Australia will be offering free flu vaccine for Children 6 months to under 5 years.

5. What health professionals can do:
Our 2017 survey showed that more than half the people who got a flus hot in 2017 made their decision based on recommendation of their GP
Lead by example and get vaccinated
More information:
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